Venetian blind tape articulated



y 1, 1952 E. E. WOLFE VENETIAN BLIND TAPE ARTICULATED- a Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan 29, 1949 5 MW A If M z u. 5 a m C 7 m n. N, r 2 M 2 Q wk July 1, 1952 E. E. WOLFE I 2,601,896

VENETIAN BLIND TAPE ARTICULATED Filed Jan. 29, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

BY I

y 1952 E. E. WOLFE VENETIAN BLIND TAPE ARTICULATED Filed Jan. 29, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVENTOR. 581/557 5; l/oz Eff Patented July 1, 1952 VENETIAN BLIND TAPE ARTICULATED Ernest E. Wolfe, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Schuok Manufacturing 00., Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application January 29, 1949, Serial No. 73,623

6 Claims.

The invention relates to the ladder or slat supporting structure of a Venetian blind. The general object of the invention is to provide such a ladder structure which is fabricated from articulated links of relatively rigid material such as metal, instead of fabric tape (conventional ladder construction) A particular object of the invention is to provide an articulated ladder structure in which the slats of a Venetian blind are loosely supported without being actually attached to the ladder. Prior proposals for a fabricated metal chain structure, comprising articulated links attached to the edges of the slats of a Venetian blind, are subject to the objection that such a construction requires a considerable amount of hand labor in its assembly and the assembly process is therefore somewhat difficult and expensive. The present invention contemplates a ladder structure which can be fabricated by automatic machinery, rapidly and relatively inexpensively, the final assembly of the slats of the Venetian blind into the ladder structure being just as simple as in the conventional fabric tape supported Venetian blind.

Earlier designs of articulated metal link tape structure for Venetian blinds, in which the links collapse outwardly as the slats are drawn together, is subject to such disadvantages as (l) the unsightly appearance of the tape links hanging outwardly from the edges of the slats; and (2) interference between the tape links and the slats in the areas of hinged attachment of the links to the slats, when attempt was made to tilt the slats to closed positions. I With these disadvantages in mind, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an articulated ladder structure comprising a series of articulated links adapted to collapse inwardly between the slats as the slats are drawntogether, and also adapted to permit maximum freedom of tilting of the slats to closed positions without interference between the slats and the tape links. V

A further object of the invention is to provide a ladder structure for Venetian blinds, comprising opposed chains of articulated tape links connected by slat-supporting connecting links which Another object of the invention is to provide, in an articulated ladder structure, means for automatically assuring the inward collapsing of the tape links as the slats are drawn together. In this connection, the invention utilizes an arrangement in which hinges at the ends of the connecting links are adapted to break outwardly whereas intermediate hinges are capable of breaking only in the inward direction and, furthermore, are provided with means to restrain the links from assuming a completely in-line relation, maintaining the intermediate hinges at a slight inward break at all times.

The invention provides a fabricated metal ladder structure in which the ends of the slat supporting connecting links are pivoted to the tape links on pivots coaxial with the axes about which the tape links hinge relative to each other, whereby the tape links may freely collapse between the connecting links.

Another object is to provide a ladder structure embodying articulated links connected together by hinges which are of such diameter as to allow the links to maintain sufiicient spacing to accommodate between them the connecting links as they collapse toward parallel relationship.

Another object is toprovide a ladder structure that can be manufactured by machinery capable of being readily adjusted to maintain required tolerances in the assembly of parts which maintains the pre-broken inner hinges.

Another object is to provide a ladder structure capable of collapsing completely (to a degree where adjacent external hinges substantially contact each other). A further object is to provide a ladder structure capable of collapsing to a degree of considerably greater compactness than is possible in conventional fabric tape blinds.

Other objects will become apparent in the ensuing specification and appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken centrally and longitudinally through a portion of a fabricated metal ladder embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of a Venetian blind taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view thereof taken on the line e s of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the upper portion of a Venetian blind embodying the invention;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a blind embodying a slightly modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the same, in the collapsed condition.

As an example of one form. in which the invention may be embodied, I have shown in the drawing a Venetian blind embodying a series of metal slats I!) supported by a pair of ladders embodying my invention. As shown in Fig. 7, the blind may embody a conventional tilting head 2, the ends of which are mounted in operating fixtures l3, operated by pull cables I l, the fixtures IS in turn being attachedto the underside of the head rail |5.

Each ladder includes a pair of articulated metal tapes composed of links l3 and H, alternately arranged. Each link [6 has at its lower extremity a pair of laterally spaced hinged loops l8, facing outwardly, linked through slots IS in an adjacent link H, and thus supporting the link H. The upper corner portions of links I? above slots l9 constitute hinge parts 24 that are received in loops l3 to form hinges 25, adapted to break inwardly. Each of the links H has at its lower end a pair of laterally spaced hinge loops 2!) which face inwardly and are looped through slots 2| in the upper end of adjacent link I6. Slots 2| are formed in ears 22 at the upper corners of links It, the ears 22 being received in the loops to form hinges 23 that are adapted to break outwardly. The inward facing of loops 20 conditions hinges 23 for outward breaking and the outward facing of loops l8 conditions hinges 25 for inward breaking.

The two articulated tapes formed by the chains of links H) and H are linked together by cross links 26, on which the slats in are supported. Each cross link 26 has at each end a trunnion 27, bent at right angles thereto and terminating in a finger 28 parallel to the link 26. Each trunnion 2'! is received in a loop 29 on the lower extremity of a tape link H. The cross link 26 and finger 28 embrace the ends of the loop 29 to retain the cross link against lateral displacement. The loop 29 is centered between and axially aligned with loops 20 of the same tape link l1, and is accommodated in a notch 30 in the upper extremity of the adjacent link I6, the notch 30 being defined between the cars 22.

Alternate cross links 26 are arranged at one side of the center of the ladder and the intervening cross links 26 are arranged on the other side of the center of the ladder. Thus the cross links 26 are staggered so that they may be alternately disposed on opposite sides of the lifting cables 3| by means of which the blinds may be collapsed upwardly in a conventional fashion. The cables 3| extend through conventional slots 32 in the slats Ill and thus anchor the slats against longitudinal dispnlacement, the cables themselves being in turn retained against such movement by the embracing engagement of the cables 3| by cross links 26.

The lower extremity of each link ll comprises a quarter cylindrical lip 33, the edge of which meets the adjoining link 16 to conceal from view a major area of hinge loops 20 and slots 2|, and which may bear against the adjoining link IE to provide a fulcrum against which the link l6 may pivot. The loops 20 and lip 33 lie on a common cylindrical surface and the loops 20 constitute extensions of the lip 33.

The lower extremity of each link it: comprises a quarter-cylindrical lip 34, from which the loops l8 constitute extensions on a common cylindrical surface. Lips 34 function to substantially conceal hinge loops |8 and slots l3. The upper extremity of each link ll, between slots I9, is provided with an embossed dimple 35 which bears against the edge of lip 34. The dimple 35 functions to maintain the upper corner portions 24 of link I! in positions outwardly of the axis of loops I8, with the edges of portions 24 in engagement with the inner walls of the outer portions of loops I8. The simultaneous engagement of hinge portions 24 against the outer portions of loops I8 and of lugs 35 against the edge of lip 34 functions to lock adjacent links I3 and I1 against outward breaking of hinge 25 beyond the position shown in Fig. 2. In this position, the axis of hinge 25 lies inwardly of hinge parts 24 and also inwardly of the plane connecting the axes of hinges 23 above and below hinge 25. This inward displacement of the axis of hinge 25 is assured by the engagement of dimple 35 against the edge of lip 34. Thus each hinge 25 is, in its most outwardly extended position, slightly broken inwardly from an on center relation to hinges 23, and, consequently. will automatically hinge inwardly when upward pressure is applied to the tapes.

It is possible to attain the initial inward break of hinge 25 by extending lip 34 beyond a quarter turn. However, this would create a difficult forming problem (bending the lip 34 beyond degrees relative to link l5). Also, it would create a difficult problem of maintaining a close tolerance in the spacing of the edge of lip 34 from the plane of link I5. To attempt to adjust that part of the die that forms lip 34, to compensate for variations in thickness, hardness, etc. of different runs of the ribbon metal stock used in fabricating the tape links, would be a laborious, time consuming and. expensive operation. This is avoided by providing dimple 35 which can be formed by a punch that is adjustable axially relative to the remainder of the die. Such an adjustment can be made quickly and easily, andwill compensate for any variation in the position of the edge of lip 34. Thus'it becomes unnecessary to hold such position to-a close tolerance.

A single dimple 35, centered between hinge loops I8, is preferred, since it provides, with hinge parts 24, a three-point self-aligning bearing engagement against lip 34 and loops l3. However, it is to be understood that it is possible to utilize two dimples or lugs, positioned either between or outwardly of slots 9. While a round shapeis preferred because of the ease of making and maintaining a punch with a round end, an elongated or other-shape may be utilized'in the dimple or lug.

The tapes are secured to the head l2 byend links 36 which are perforated so-that wood screws 31 may be passed through them and into the bar I2. The lower extremities of links 36 correspond to the lower extremities of'links l? and are hinged to the topmost links l6 in'the same-manner as. the hinged connection between links I16. and H. The diameter of loops 28'- issufficient to accommodate the combined thickness; of cross; links 26', links Hi and slats It) in the collapsed condition: of the blind shown in Fig 4;

In this collapsed condition, links 23? and I3 ference between the links as they move between extended and collapsed positions, since the notches 30 between the cars 22 will receive the centrally disposed links 26. I

Because the links I6, 11 and 26 are relatively rigid, the degree to which the slats may be tilted depends upon the degree of extension of the tapes. In the fullest collapsed condition of the blind shown in Fig. i, the slats must be substantially horizontal, since any attempt to tilt them to any considerable extent will be prevented by engagement of the slats against hinges 25. As the tapes are extended, however, and the hinges 23 move farther apart, the inclination of links l6 and I? from the horizontal will become greater, providing space for the slats to tilt. The degree of possible tilting thus depends upon the angle subtended between links [6 and H at hinges 23. In the fully extended position of the tapes, the slats can be tilted to nearly vertical position, as shown in Fig. 5.

One of the advantages of the invention is the lack of interference between slats and tape links during normal tilting operations. since the slats rest loosely upon the cross links 26, their lower edges abutted against loops 20 and 29, the slats will move freely within the spaces in which they are confined, to accommodate themselves to the changing positions of cross links 26 and tape links l'i. Since, as previously pointed out, the loops 2! and 23 are of sufficient diameter to permit the cross links 26 and slats I!) to lie in different planes, spaced apart no more than'the diameter of loop 20 and 29, it is possible for the slats to be folded up between links 26 and I! as the blind is tilted to completely closed condition without interference between the parts. In prior devices in which the slats were connected bodily to the hinges of the articulated metal tape by means of fittings, such fittings have caused interference with the closing movement such as to make it impossible to fully close the blind. This difficulty is completely eliminated in the present invention.

Another advantage of the invention is the arrangement of the links to fold inwardly, whereby the tapes are concealed between the slats when the blind is drawn up to the collapsed condition of Fig. i.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1-7 inclusive, in which the hinge loops are disposed at the lower extremities of their respective tape links, the blind may be collapsed to a point where the hinges 23 are spaced apart only the thickness of a cross link 26 and a slat [0, combined. Actually, the gaps between the hinges 23 will have a width of only about .042" (about /2 since the slats I0 may be in the neighborhood of .012" thick and the cross links 25, about .030" diameter. This spacing will hardly be noticeable.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10 has the additional advantage of being collapsible to the point of actual contact between hinge loops 23. The parts are identical to those of Figs. 1-7, but the links 16 and I! are inverted so that the hinge loops are disposed at their upper ends, and therefore face upwardly in the collapsed blind. Consequently, the cross links 25 will drop into the spaces between hinge loops [8, and hinges 25 will be separated by only the slight thickness of slats It. The downward inclination of links I! will cause them to -take up this slight spacing and contact hinge loops 20 and center loops 29. This produces not only additional compactness, but also an anti-rattling characteristic in the presence of a breeze.

Another advantage of the invention arises from the fact that the construction of the tape links is adaptable to fabrication upon automatic machinery, into which thin ribbons of sheet metal are fed and from which the completely fabricated, articulated tape is discharged.

I claim: p

l. A ladder structure for supporting a plurality of slats in a Venetian blind, comprising: a plurality of slat supporting cross links; and a pair of opposed articulated sheet metal tapes each including alternating first and second series links and a plurality of hinges joining said links end to end, with alternating outwardly breaking hinges linked together by said cross links and intervening inwardly breaking hinges adapted to be received between the slats when the blind is collapsed; said first series: links each having at its inner enda pairof laterally spaced, aligned, outwardly facing, integral sleeve-like hinge loops, each of said second series links having at its inner end a pair of correspondingly positioned aligned slots through which a pair of said loops are respectively linked to form one of said inwardly breaking hinges; each of said second series links having at its outer extremity three inwardly facing, axially aligned, laterally spaced integral sleeve-like hinge loops including a pair of side loops and an intervening central loop spaced from the inner end of each'of said side loops, each of said first series links having at its outer end a pair of laterally spaced ears having aligned slots through which the respective side loops are linked to form one of said outwardly breaking hinges, said ears defining between them a notch in which said central loop is received; said cross links being of wire and each including a body portion bridging between corresponding central loops of the respective tapes and having, at its respective ends, transversely bent portions constituting trunnions extending through the respective central loops for linking the tapes together and supporting said cross links for free pivotal movement of the tape links relative thereto.

2. A Venetian blind ladder structure as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said tape links has an integral lipconstituting an axial extension of portions of the hinge loops of its looped extremity, the edge of said lip being adapted to bear against the adjacent extremity of the adjacent link to provide a fulcrum against which said adjacent link may pivot with its plane spaced from that of the adjoining link by a distance equal to at least half the diameter of the loops,

whereby to maintain each of the hinges slightly broken in its breaking direction.

3. A Venetian blind ladder structure as defined wherein the ends of said trunnions are return posed pairs. spaces for accommodating the infolded links, :said cross links, and said slats.

6, A Venetian blind ladder structure comprising a pair of opposed sheet metal articulated tapes each including a first series of inwardly and downwardly inclined links and a second series of outwardly and downwardly inclined links arranged alternately between said first series of links, said first series links each having at its lower end a pair of laterally spaced outwardly facing side loops, each of said second series links having at its upper end a pair of correspondingly positioned slots through which the said respective loops are linked to form an inwardly breaking hinge; each of said second series links having at its lower extremity, three inwardly facing, axially aligned loops including a pair of laterally spaced side loops and an intervening central 100p, each of said first series links having at its upper end a pair of upwardly projecting, laterally spaced side ears each having a slot through which a respective one of said inwardly facing side loops is linked to form an outwardly breaking hinge, said ears defining between them a notch in which said central loop is received; and a plurality of wire slat supporting '8 cross links each including a body portion bridging between corresponding central loops of the respective tapes and having at its respective ends, transversely bent portions constituting trunnions extending through the respective central loops for linking the tapes together and supporting said cross links for free pivotal movement of the tape links relative thereto.

ERNEST WOLFE.

REFERENCES CITED 7 The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 595,146 Churchill Dec. 7, 189'? 1,327,364 I Wilson-et al. l Jan. 6, 1920 1,801,911 Duncanson Apr. 21, 1931 2,037,703 Cameron Apr. 21, 1936 2,061,548 Cameron Nov. 24, 1936 2,200,143 Wolfe May 7, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,181 Austria Sept. 25, 1900 

